Quote:
Originally Posted by Dontyouflan
I'm completely cross shopping the FR-S and the 128i. I'm 22 and taking a new job. It's time for a new car. I'm gonna have to drive 100+ miles a day for this job so...
They're two very different machines but when you put in my criteria they're the only two cars that come up.
New.
Under 35k.
RWD.
Not ugly.
Nothing quite drives like a BMW, but yet the FR-S should be tight and sharp and more appealing as a drivers car... BUT, I gotta drive this thing 100+ miles a day for five years. In five years am I really gonna be happy with the FR-S? What about fit and finish? If the inside looks anything like any toyota I've seen recently, I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I could stand it. Maybe I could drape some black scrim over it and just feel around for the controls. Afterwards I could do a nice second gear powerslide and all be well, right?
Then, in five years when I pay off the loan... If I buy the FR-S I'll have an awesome second car. I could take it out on sunny weekends and have serious fun, but the BMW will just be an entry level bimmer, when likely my next car is gonna be a nicer BMW.
If you think you get a lot more frills in the BMW, you're wrong. A basic 128i has, uh, a decent stereo and auto climate control. Power windows and locks, etc... likely the FR-S will have all the same basic options and maybe more.
I've driven a 128i and it drives like it should. It's a small BMW. It's almost perfect except it's a little shakable compared to a 3-series and a little heavy compared too.... an FR-S.
I wish I could just go drive an FR-S and calm these voices in my head, but no, I can't. So I just go over it all over and over again.
Is the FR-S really gonna be fun enough to be worth all the... toyota-ness of it?
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Well, not ugly?? Anyway.....
At least be prepared, that the 128 will not really reach the sports level of the old BMWs.
As you have seen the car is about 1.5 tons - right about the same as a Corvette.
And there are these stupid runflat tires, which perform really poor in the wet - they loose grip rather suddently, not good for drifting. In addition they are quite small for such an heavy car. But stay away from the tires of the 135i (215 front / 245 rear), as this will sure give you pretty much understear.
Have you ever considered a Miata?